Nigerian Clubs Missing As CAF Champions League Quarter-Final Draw Holds Tuesday

The draw for the knockout rounds of the CAF Champions League will take place in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, with no Nigerian club among the contenders. Rivers United’s campaign concluded in disappointing fashion on Saturday night, as they were comprehensively outclassed 3–0 by RS Berkane at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. Already under pressure heading into their final group game, the Nigerian champions needed a result to exit with dignity.

As the group phase concluded on Sunday night, several continental heavyweights secured their places in the last eight, with Stade Malien making it to the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Group A: Pyramids Dominate, Berkane Through

Defending champions Pyramids FC topped Group A in commanding fashion, finishing with 16 points from six matches, comprising five wins and one draw. The Egyptian side scored 14 goals and conceded just twice, underlining their status as one of the tournament favourites. Morocco’s Renaissance Berkane secured second place with 10 points, narrowly ahead of Zambia’s Power Dynamos. Nigeria’s Rivers United finished bottom of the group with just one point.

Group B: Al Ahly Lead as Royal Army and Young Africans Wait

Egyptian giants Al Ahly lead Group B with ten points from six matches, remaining unbeaten with two wins and four draws. The Cairo club have once again shown resilience in tight contests, conceding just three goals so far. Morocco’s FAR Rabat (Royal Army) sit second on nine points, narrowly ahead of Young Africans of Tanzania.

Group C: Al Hilal and Sundowns Advance

Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman confirmed top spot in Group C with 11 points after a crucial victory in their final match. The Sudanese giants have impressed with their organisation and efficiency, scoring nine goals and conceding seven. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns finished second with nine points, edging out MC Alger. Sundowns secured qualification after a decisive win in the final round, ensuring two Southern African representatives remain in contention.

Group D: Stade Malien Surprise, Esperance Secure Passage

Mali’s Stade Malien emerged as group winners in Group D with 11 points, conceding just twice across six matches. Their disciplined defensive displays proved decisive in a tightly contested group. Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis claimed the second qualification slot with nine points, ahead of Petro Atlético of Angola and Simba of Tanzania.

With the groups concluded, all eight teams will now participate in the last eight of Africa’s flagship club competition. The quarter-final draw will determine the knockout pairings as Africa’s elite clubs turn their focus to the decisive stages of the competition.

CAF will conduct the Quarter-final Draws for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. The draw will pit the group winners against runners-up and will also determine the semi-final combinations and who will play at home in the first leg of the two-legged final.